"How much longer do I need to stand here?!" Gino's groaned and held his composure; back straight with his hands by his sides.
Today was another scorching hot day, not a cloud insight. Just the sun beating down on a sweaty Gino. C.C chuckled and slowly sipped out of her teacup.
"Just a little faster please?" She said softly to the servant beside her who held a fan.
"Yes your majesty." They said and fanned a bit faster.
C.C placed the cup back onto the table and reached for one of the finger sandwiches. "These sure do look yummy." She smiled and took a bite. "Shame you can't enjoy this too."
"Don't ignore me, your majesty!" He said again and breathed deeply. How long as it been? Almost two hours now? It was starting to be a daily ritual for him. Outside almost everyday was a daily reminder of his betrayal. "Can I at least take my shirt off?!"
"No." She said flatly and ate the rest of her sandwich. "I don't think you've learned your lesson yet."
"My lady, with all due respect." He started and opened his eyes to look at her. "The prince had a right to know.. it wasn't right of me to keep a secret like that."
"And now you need to deal with the consequences of your actions." She said softly.
"Fine, if that's how you feel." He sighed. "I apologize for it but I do not regret it."
"It's fine." She chuckled and cleaned her mouth. "I do forgive you but I still need to punish you accordingly."
"I can take whatever you dish out your majesty." He said and grinned.
"As expected of one of The Round members." She chuckled a bit and stood up.
Lelouch peaked out his window through the curtain to watch C.C continuously torture Gino's almost on clockwork. He chuckled a bit and leaned against the window. Everyday he was getting stronger but C.C still hell bent on keeping him in this room. Sooner or later she was going to have to let him out of here.
People were going to have to know that he was awake. Most of the royals were going to be in for a shock.. maybe even Schneizel too.. But in a way he felt that Schneizel might have already known. The way he aggressively ravages C.C for a favor. She may think that he didn't know but he knew almost everything that went on. The way that he looks at her like an animal in heat, even the small hickeys that he would leave on her shoulders and the back of her neck.
He shuddered a little and closed the curtain. He didn't want to imagine where else the bite marks lead too.. He walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a blue leather bound book. He flipped the cover to show the only picture he had of Suzaku. Courtesy of Anaya in hopes that would help him in his grieving period. His fingers gently grazed the photo of his smiling face; emerald eyes shining bright, full of life.
Keeping the photo like some dirty secret. From C.C, Gino's..He didn't need anyone to question why he constantly tortured himself with the memory of his late lover. Remembering Suzaku brought him a small amount of comfort. Even when he felt miserable the only thing that could or would console him. Just this small memory.
He could feel a bit of tears run down his cheeks, slowly closing the book making sure that the photo didn't get wet. He hugged the book closer to his chest, feeling the tears starting to come down more.
"W..why did you leave me all alone?" He mumbled angrily. Even if it's been a year.. but he still hasn't been able to forgive either C.C or Gino. He might never forgive them.. He would try but it didn't seem likely. Not now. Now it was his time to make a certain miserable bastard pay. Pay for every sin that he's committed.
"Not only to me but for Suzaku too." He mumbled and carefully placed the book back into place.
He might not be emperor right now.. didn't mean that his influence was gone. Lelouch will find support within or out of this castle. If he could overthrow the late emperor then Schneizel wouldn't be any different.
"It's so good to see you standing around.. I was starting to think that.." Said a voice from behind him.
It wasn't C.C. or Gino's that he's been used too. It could only mean one other person.. Lelouch gripped his arms tightly and slowly turned around to have a pair of frosty blue eyes staring holes at him. He wasn't expecting for Schneizel to make his move so fast..
Games on then. He thought and chuckled a bit. "To think what?" He said flatly, leaning against the wall.
"That I'd never get to have another conversation with my little brother again." Schneizel said and walked into his room, closing the door behind him. He walked towards his bed and sat down.
"Surprised?" He shot back with a scowl forming on his lips.
"You make it sound like I didn't want you to wake up? I'm hurt.." He said and put his hand over his heart.
"Didn't you?!" Lelouch shook his head.
"You have this all wrong." He said and stood up, slowly making his way in front of Lelouch. "I'm not your enemy here, never been." He said and gently put his hand over Lelouch's forehead. "Are you feeling okay? Maybe I should get the physician in here to give you a full work up?"
"I'm not going crazy!" He laughed bitterly and slapped Schneizel's hand away.
"To me it seems like you are.. thinking about imaginary enemies." He chuckled.
Lelouch shook his head. "What do you really want?"
"Not a big favor, actually a small one." He grinned a little. "And it might benefit you as well."
"What favor?" He forced a sigh.
"Don't come out to everyone just yet." He started and caught a loose hair from Lelouch's head.
He watched as Schneizel slowly played with his hair between his fingers. "Why not?"
"All I'm saying is not yet.. just hold out a bit longer."
He raised an eyebrow at him. "I can't be in here any longer!"
"I'm not saying be in here for another month.. just a few days while I prepare."
"Prepare what exactly?" Lelouch mumbled.
"For the return of our prince." He said and slowly twirled his finger into his hair. "It won't be anything huge, just a small banquet with family, a few officials and of course the Knights of the Round."
"Why? Are you trying to save face or something?"
Schneizel laughed a little and gently tugged on his hair. "I'm glad too see that you haven't changed one bit while you've been having your little rest."
"I would watch my back." He said with a small grin.
"Looks like I just might." Schneizel smiled and let go of his hair. "Also keep our little conversation between us, no need to bring my wife into this."
"My lips are sealed.. your highness." He nodded in agreement.
"Good.. and just to see you keep your end of the deal, a day before the banquet I will give you a piece of information that you will want to hear."
Lelouch blinked a little and watched as he turned to go. Schneizel managed to leave him with no comeback. "Wait! What information do you have that would even interest me?!"
"Wait and see little brother, enjoy the rest of your day." He winked before finally leaving Lelouch alone in the room.
Just what does that sneaky bastard think he knows?! Lelouch thought angrily, banging his fist against the wall. "FUCK!" He growled and started to throw whatever he could get his hands on. Normally he was calm, level headed but now.. Calm was thrown out the window.
Once he was finished throwing things, he started breathing heavily. He brushed his hair back from his face. "I'll give you this day, Schneizel." He chuckled softly and smiled to himself. He was just going to have to wait and see what information he had for him.
Three Days Before The Banquet
Schneizel slowly paced back and forth, waiting for his little brother to show up to their meeting. He sort of hoped that he wouldn't show, just so he could torture him some more. It was very amusing to see Lelouch finally break. Especially hearing that little fit he had right before he left the room. The sounds of things being thrown and the frustration in his voice, knowing that Schneizel was finally one step ahead of him.
"Music to my ears." He laughed a little.
Soon the door opened and Lelouch slowly limped his way in. Lelouch who once always stood proud with his head held high was now hunching over a bit and relying on a cane to help him keep his balance. He was going to remember this image for the rest of his life. How he brought down his proud full little brother. The Britannian Empire was now almost his. Just one thing was missing to make his victory taste even sweeter.
"What's this information you've been hiding from me that you couldn't just tell me already." Lelouch mumbled, limping his way to the nearest armchair. Walking long distances was starting to become a chore for him. He settled back into the chair, taking soft breaths. C.C. was probably right.. I might not be ready.. He thought to himself.
Schneizel smiled a little and walked closer a bit. "Should I fetch you anything?"
"From you?" He snorted. "I'll pass.. hurry up! I don't have much time until you're wife comes back to find me."
"Right." He chuckled softly. "It's about your late Knight, the Eleven."
Lelouch flinched a bit and gripped his cane tightly in his hands. "What about him?" He mumbled softly, feeling his heart hurt a bit.
"Why do you still mourn him I don't understand?" He said softly and walked in front of Lelouch. "I thought that you didn't like liars?"
"What are you getting at?!" He snapped in anger. "How dare you try to tarnish the name of a good man?!"
"Good man?" Schneizel laughed. "A good man would have done his job in protecting our Emperor, a good man would have did an even better job guarding our Emperor while he was comatose but instead was too busy fornicating with our sister."
His breath was soon caught in his throat. Suzaku and Euphie? No.. It couldn't be.. He thought desperately. No, it had to be another trick by Schneizel. "I don't know why you would go so far into lying.. it's a new low even for you." He said softly and shook his head.
"It's understandable that you don't believe me.. but I have nothing to lose in lying to you about your Knight and our dear sister.. I know you might have fancied the Eleven, maybe even more than that." Schneizel said softly. He soon got on one knee in front of Lelouch and looked him straight in the eyes. "You know deep in your heart that I am telling the truth, take however long you need to process what I said. And when you come to realize what's been said it will be easier for you to cope." He said and slowly reached forward to slowly rub his thumb under Lelouch's eye.
He didn't even realize that tears started to fall down his cheeks. Damn it.. He thought bitterly and bit his lip. Betrayed by his own emotions.. "I can cope in my own way.." He mumbled.
"Oh course. Take care little brother.. I'll see you tomorrow." He said softly and stood back up. He slowly ruffled Lelouch's hair. "You should think about sitting outside for a bit, you're looking a little pale." He told him and walked out of the room, leaving his brother alone to ponder his thoughts on what he had to say.
Seeing the tears run down that not so proud face anymore was the cherry on top of his victory. "Looks like this is also my day as well." He said softly with a triumph.